Biden calls Iraq’s PM-designate, discusses govt formation

US Vice President Joe Biden has spoken with Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi and discussed government formation among other issues, the White House said.

During a telephone call, Biden emphasised that continuing progress, under Dr Abadi’s leadership, towards forming a new government has been critical to rallying international support for Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The Prime Minister-designate reviewed with the Vice President his ongoing efforts to form, as rapidly as possible, a government prepared to address the needs of all of Iraq’s communities once it takes office, the White House said.

Biden and Abidi also discussed the ongoing cooperation between Iraq and the US to address the security and humanitarian challenges confronting Iraq.